Dear All,
what with the change of job, not had a chance to be on forum much – however will still keep news coming of whats occurring at Sywell
We recently acquired two Allan Williams Turrets – we have been after one for a while -only 199 were made and in essence they were Maginot Line style pillboxes which rotated on a recessed base and housed a Bren and or Lewis with gunner and loader. They are ‘proper’ bonkers.
We had been after one in Essex but sadly that came to naught…. more info on the AW here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_hardened_field_defences_of_World_War_II
We actually only really wanted one, so the second is available for swap/sale.
They are exceedingly rare and in any event those that remain are usually listed on the Monuments Record.
These came from a scrapyard and before that by repute were at de Havillands at Hatfield
Many thanks to Aubrey Payne for offloading them and to Bruce for the heads up.
One certainly will be restored and if possible installed correctly with a recessed ring and pit near the museum.
Happy Xmas from all at Sywell Aviation Museum!
By: low'n'slow - 15th December 2008 at 17:44
At last TT. You’ve found something that flies nearly as well as the FRED!! 😀
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 15th December 2008 at 17:11
Cheers TwO
TT
By: TwinOtter23 - 14th December 2008 at 10:51
TT – please check your PMs.
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 14th December 2008 at 10:25
Still keeping a close eye on our diddy friends (and I dont mean Ken Dodds pals)
Possibly mine the museum car park in the new year…
We have some accessories for them and others we will have to make – they are in decent nick considering they are 68 years old!
TT
By: Bruce - 14th December 2008 at 09:13
I would not leave them out as the value of scrap metal and socially deprived people could soon make you devoid of them.
Cynical witness from Bedford
Right now, the value of scrap steel is as close to nil as makes no odds. A far cry from the £105 per ton at the beginning of the year.
Bruce
By: Newforest - 13th December 2008 at 22:30
Nice jelly moulds! Presumably there are some accessories missing in the pictures, do you have them or do you have to manufacture them?
By: T-21 - 13th December 2008 at 22:17
I would not leave them out as the value of scrap metal and socially deprived people could soon make you devoid of them.
Cynical witness from Bedford
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 13th December 2008 at 18:50
Thanks mate – chuffed to bits – couldnt pass em up.
On the basis most extant are scheduled -we have to save em – as you know we’re suckers for a bit of metal and a sob story ! 🙂
TT
By: Denis - 13th December 2008 at 18:48
Congrats TT, quite a catch you have there!, and with the added bargaining power of the second for a swap eh?.
The AW turret example that resides at Duxford originally came from Nazeing Essex, and was removed by the Royal Engineers.
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December 13, 2008 at 6:41 pm